Raiders charge way to opening victory

Following a scoreless first half Friday night, the Laurens Raiders’ football team roared to life with five rushing touchdowns – three by running back Shamare Dendy, two by quarterback Ryan Campbell – enough to lift the Raiders to a 34-14 victory over the rival Clinton Red Devils at Wilder Stadium.

Campbell had a 42-yard scoring run to open the second half for Laurens, and later had a 20-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to eventually take the lead for keeps. Dendy had a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put Laurens up 13-0 after a failed extra point, then had two touchdowns runs (25, 16) in the fourth quarter after Clinton closed within 20-14 with 8:20 to go.

Duane Martin rushed for a game-high 133 yards for Laurens on 21 carries, Dendy rushed for 66 yards and Campbell added 41 yards on the ground.

As for Clinton, its ground game was held to 89 yards on 33 attempts against the Raiders’ defense, while quarterback Konnor Richardson completed 9 of 20 passes for 131 yards. Wide receiver Cameron Nichols had four catches for 92 yards.